Aggies an open book; practice time change

**** Note practice time change for Friday morning to 6:40 a.m., the final practice of camp.

COLLEGE STATION — Texas A&M is a day away from wrapping up its open practices during August camp. The more I read and hear about how some other programs handle their camps, one in particular, the more I realize Aggies should appreciate the approach of their coach, Mike Sherman.

Sherman vows that the program he runs belongs to Aggies, not him. And then he sticks to that vow. For example, the open practices to A&M students, former students and staff, and accessibility to his program by the media. (Speaking of, this morning’s practice has been shifted to 10:45 a.m. from 8:25 a.m., in case you catch this before heading out).

All of these stories and blogs with loads of insight from Sherman and his players over the past couple of weeks aren’t by accident. It’s because Sherman, in his second season, wants the word spread about his program, and allows us to talk to any of his players who’ve competed in a game for the Aggies.

A colleague couldn’t believe the access we have to tell the Aggies’ stories, and I realized then that I’ve come to take it a bit for granted. No more.

The San Antonio Express-News, Houston Chronicle, Bryan-College Station Eagle, Texags.com, Rivals.com and Scout.com all have covered the heck out of camp among the print media, and readers (um, mostly Aggies fans, I’d presume) have benefited.

Simply, paranoia doesn’t exist in this program, thanks to the coach’s approach. At least not yet.

Over in Stillwater, Okla., Oklahoma State is in the midst of a media blackout. Coach Mike Gundy has cut off access to coaches and players until Aug. 31 to allegedly sharpen their focus or something of that ilk.

Who’s running that program? Howard Hughes, Mickey Mouse or a combination of the two? Goodness gracious, Gundy, coach of a public university, is making Captain Queeg look like Pete Carroll.

The ones paying the price? OSU fans who pay big money to watch their team on Saturdays in the fall, but are missing out on insight into their ninth-ranked program, thanks to their coach’s fears.

(Prompting the question: If the Cowboys are scared of some little ol’ reporters, what must they think of Oklahoma and Texas?)

Again, it makes you appreciate what’s going on over at the Coolidge practice fields and in the Bright building.

I realize if the Aggies are 4-8 again, fans aren’t going to be happy with Sherman, no matter his glasnost. If he can get that winning part down, he’ll really be on to something. In the meantime, I believe he’s bought himself a little more goodwill and patience from the faithful, thanks to his wide-open, straightforward approach as he rebuilds a once-proud but beaten-down program.

Is the opposite true of Gundy? I’d guess so, at least from the media’s vantage. Win out and all will be giddy, right? Good luck with that.